I use Topaz photo AI with good results. One thing I have learned is that to use Topaz apps it takes awhile to develop the intuition to really make it work artistically. You might mention this at some point. Users expect miracles with a couple clicks and that seldom happens. Also users take a while to recognize (especially me) when sharpening or denoising is really enhancing the image rather than destroying it. Less is often really more. I think I really get it now but I am yet to master PhotoAI. I will try out your technique. Seems like a good idea.
Great - finally someone explaining the differences between sharpening types. I usually only retain sharp photos but if I ever run into one that is irreplaceable then I could look into those alternative sharpening tools.
Brian, thank you so much. I had purchased this software and was considering a refund as it was driving me nuts. You've helped so much. Now all I need to do is figure out why my Topaz images save as completely noisy pixelated train wrecks every time I edit them!
Thank you very much for that really wonderfully instructive tutorial. I am always trying, as quickly as possible, to learn as much as I can but there's so much to know as you know! This kind of detail and the differentiation you have shown; between the method with just light room, as opposed to photo AI, albeit an old version of photo AI, was extremely helpful.
Brian, the tips on holding down the option key work great. However, I think the video is a bit misleading in that there is always the option to use Smart Sharpen in Photoshop and that gives you more control than the topaz products. Honestly, would love to see you do a video comparing smart, sharpen and Denoise AI to topaz.
Thanks for your great video. I have a question please: When I need to use Topaz AI, do I need to do all of my editing in Lightroom before using AI? Or do I import the file and go directly into AI and then back to LR for my editing?
I'll only send a RAW file to Topaz Photo AI if it is super noisy because my experience is that applying noise reduction to the photo after I've already edited it isn't as effective. Also, the RAW noise reduction model is actually SUPER effective and I haven't seen any appreciable downsides to starting my edits with the noise-reduced DNG file that Topaz Photo AI provides.
Question You went from Lightroom into Topaz AI. Does that mean that Lightroom includes Topaz AI? Or you just went from one application to the other, so you have both - paid for both?
Lightroom and Topaz Photo AI are two separate products from two separate companies, and both require two separate purchases. However, Lightroom’s Denoise AI tool is actually quite good, so you may not need anything else. It depends on your needs, though.
Correct. Neither Lightroom Desktop nor Mobile have 3rd party app support aside from sending to Photoshop, which you would use as a proxy to access Topaz Photo AI. Not ideal and I hope Adobe fixes that.
Topaz Photo AI is the company's latest app that combines the functionality of its three individual apps with an "Autopilot" system that analyzes your photo and automatically applies recommended settings using its AI models. I do think that the company will eventually get rid of the individual apps and I'm certain that almost all of their development efforts are focused on improving Topaz Photo AI and the quality of their AI models.
Nice video. I really like Topaz AI most of the time. I wish I had your computer though. Every time I make any adjustment or move the image, it takes over a minute to render a new preview and saving an image can take 5 minutes. (i7 4th gen, 16GB RAM, dedicated video card, and SSD). It's an older CPU, but runs fantastic other than in Topaz software.
I hear ya. Performance can vary a lot based on hardware specs. I will say that my M2 Max is a beast and it does seem like Topaz Labs is doing a great job optimizing their apps to take advantage of Apple’s silicon.
Have you been using Lightroom's sharpening to fix blurry or out-of-focus photos? Or is there something else that has worked better for you?
I use Topaz photo AI with good results. One thing I have learned is that to use Topaz apps it takes awhile to develop the intuition to really make it work artistically. You might mention this at some point. Users expect miracles with a couple clicks and that seldom happens. Also users take a while to recognize (especially me) when sharpening or denoising is really enhancing the image rather than destroying it. Less is often really more. I think I really get it now but I am yet to master PhotoAI. I will try out your technique. Seems like a good idea.
Great - finally someone explaining the differences between sharpening types. I usually only retain sharp photos but if I ever run into one that is irreplaceable then I could look into those alternative sharpening tools.
Glad it was helpful!
Brian, thank you so much. I had purchased this software and was considering a refund as it was driving me nuts. You've helped so much. Now all I need to do is figure out why my Topaz images save as completely noisy pixelated train wrecks every time I edit them!
Thank you very much for that really wonderfully instructive tutorial. I am always trying, as quickly as possible, to learn as much as I can but there's so much to know as you know! This kind of detail and the differentiation you have shown; between the method with just light room, as opposed to photo AI, albeit an old version of photo AI, was extremely helpful.
Excellent demo of proper sharpening technique…thanks!
Brian, the tips on holding down the option key work great. However, I think the video is a bit misleading in that there is always the option to use Smart Sharpen in Photoshop and that gives you more control than the topaz products. Honestly, would love to see you do a video comparing smart, sharpen and Denoise AI to topaz.
This was AWESOME… thank you, Brian!
My pleasure!
Excellent video! I'll be getting Topaz soon.
Thanks for your great video. I have a question please: When I need to use Topaz AI, do I need to do all of my editing in Lightroom before using AI? Or do I import the file and go directly into AI and then back to LR for my editing?
Brian, what is your decision process when choosing to send the raw file vs tiff to Topaz?
I'll only send a RAW file to Topaz Photo AI if it is super noisy because my experience is that applying noise reduction to the photo after I've already edited it isn't as effective. Also, the RAW noise reduction model is actually SUPER effective and I haven't seen any appreciable downsides to starting my edits with the noise-reduced DNG file that Topaz Photo AI provides.
@@brianmatiash Thanks for the clarification that makes sense
Happy to help, amigo!
Good video with helpful information
Question
You went from Lightroom into Topaz AI. Does that mean that Lightroom includes Topaz AI? Or you just went from one application to the other, so you have both - paid for both?
Lightroom and Topaz Photo AI are two separate products from two separate companies, and both require two separate purchases. However, Lightroom’s Denoise AI tool is actually quite good, so you may not need anything else. It depends on your needs, though.
Topaz Photo AI doesn’t work with Lightroom CC desktop, nor mobile correct?
Correct. Neither Lightroom Desktop nor Mobile have 3rd party app support aside from sending to Photoshop, which you would use as a proxy to access Topaz Photo AI. Not ideal and I hope Adobe fixes that.
What's the difference between Topaz Photo AI and the individual versions of Topaz Sharpen, DeNoise and Gigapixel?
From what I understand Topaz Photo AI is replacing the individual versions. Topaz says they only plan to improve and update Photo AI going forward.
Topaz Photo AI is the company's latest app that combines the functionality of its three individual apps with an "Autopilot" system that analyzes your photo and automatically applies recommended settings using its AI models. I do think that the company will eventually get rid of the individual apps and I'm certain that almost all of their development efforts are focused on improving Topaz Photo AI and the quality of their AI models.
Nice video. I really like Topaz AI most of the time. I wish I had your computer though. Every time I make any adjustment or move the image, it takes over a minute to render a new preview and saving an image can take 5 minutes. (i7 4th gen, 16GB RAM, dedicated video card, and SSD). It's an older CPU, but runs fantastic other than in Topaz software.
I hear ya. Performance can vary a lot based on hardware specs. I will say that my M2 Max is a beast and it does seem like Topaz Labs is doing a great job optimizing their apps to take advantage of Apple’s silicon.
As of yesterday LR has AI Denoise lets see how well it works.
Too bad you don't have a face to show...It's something everyone is used to seeing. And also a more likely object for everyone to want to get clearer.
I think sharpen model is too aggressive. We need more control over it.
It definitely can be aggressive at times, but that's why you can dial down the effect with the strength slider.